Time required

Variations: Ways to Modify the Game
The game described in this article is
designed for mixed-level adult students. 
However, it could easily be modified for 
children. For children, the teacher will need 
to make cards that reflect the abilities of 
young learners. 
For example, the teacher can have cards that 
give spelling quizzes or ask basic questions. 
One card could read, “Spell the word happy.” 
Another could read, “Which is a happier place, 
a park or a zoo?”
For more-advanced adult classes, the teacher 
can design cards with role plays or scenarios. 
A card could read, “Your friend is feeling 
down. Try to cheer him or her up.”
Other modifications can make the game even 
more fun.
• Music: The teacher can play music in the 
background to create a party atmosphere.
• Happiness tokens or punch card:
The teacher can create some kind of 
reward system for good responses,
such as happiness tokens or stickers.
Or the teacher can create a challenge 
punch card and punch a hole every
time the student gets a challenge
correct.
Notes on Materials and Game Boards 
Teachers can create their own Happiness 
Game using free resources on the American 
English website. Free templates for creating 
board games, along with many other ready-
to-go games, are provided here: https://
americanenglish.state.gov/resources/
activate-board-games
• A blank board-game template can be 
downloaded at https://americanenglish.
state.gov/files/ae/resource_files/board_
game_template_0.pdf 
• A template for dice can be downloaded at 
https://americanenglish.state.gov/files/
ae/resource_files/dice_template.pdf
If game boards, game pieces, or other 
materials are not available, the teacher may 
turn the classroom into one giant game board. 
Any classroom materials may be used to 
signify board spaces in the physical classroom, 
including desks or notebooks. The students 
may play “rock, paper, scissors” with the 
teacher to advance. When a student wins, 
they move ahead three spaces; when they 
lose, they move ahead one space. The teacher 
can pull a happiness question, free question, 
or happiness challenge card randomly from a 
box or have a student do so. If cards are not 
available, the teacher can make up questions 
on the spot, based on their knowledge of the 
student’s level.
Please remember: the main point of the game 
is for all players (including the teacher) to be 
happy!